Feeding-cup



(No Model.)

L. W. BACON, Jr.

FEEDING 0UP.

Willa E E a a Xweffi LEONARD W'OOLSEY BACON, JR,

PATENT OEEIcE.

OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

FEEDING-CU P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 497,940, dated May 23, 1893.

Application filed August 1, 1892. Serial No. 441,890. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LLEONARD WooLsEY BA- CON, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improved Feeding-Cup, of which the following is a specification.

The invention for which I seek a patent is a feeding-cup technically known as a sickfeeder for use in feeding sick persons in the recumbent posture.

Figure I shows the feeding-cup standing nearly vertically on its base X. Fig. II shows the cup in a nearly horizontal position standing on its base Y. Fig. III is a vertical section of Fig.1.

The drawings accompanying this specification represent the feeding-cup in two positions, Fig. I standing on one of its two bases X, with the nose of the feeding-cup nearly perpendicular, this being the position in which the feeding-cup is placed to be filled; Fig. II standing on the other of its two bases Y, with its nose in a position more nearly horizontal and the hand of the person who is to use the cup, resting upon it and grasping the feeding-cup in the manner in which it is to be held in using to feed apatient. In each of these drawings Figs. I and II is exhibited, the nose G showing this to be gutter-shaped and open along its whole length. L is the lip, which is a continuation of the posterior wall of the feeding-cup, E the ear which corresponds to a similar ear on the opposite side of the cup and enables the cup to be grasped firmly in the hand. The two flat facets X and Y on the cup intended to serve as two bases for it to rest upon are indicated by the position in which the cup rests in Figs. I and II.

The feeding-cup consists essentially of a body or bowl nearly spherical having upon the outside two flattened spaces X and Y spoken of above as facets, and intended each to afford a basis upon which the feeding-cup shall stand securely in each of the two positions in which the feeding-cup is intended to be set.

From the body or bowl of the feeding-cup there projects at a point nearly opposite the facet X a nose or spout intended to convey to the lips of the patient the contents of the bowl. This nose or spout differs from the nose or spout of other feeding cups in being gutter shaped and open along its whole length instead of being completely closed as a tube. By this device the proper cleansing of the feeding-cup is very much facilitated and itis made possible to observe the contents of the feeding-cup as it enters the patients mouth, and the patient is prevented from stopping the flow of the fluid by closing the orifice with his tongue. In the old style of feeding-cup a bubble of air is apt to form in the spout, which air must either be expelled through the feeding-cup or taken into the mouth of the patient before he can receive the fluid contents of the feeding-cup; the gutter-shaped spout for which apatent is herein applied for has the further advantage of doing away with this difficulty. This gutter is made sufficiently deep so that the said feeding-cup may deliver its contents without overflowing, as effectually as though the spout were closed into i a complete tube. The general shape and position of this nose or spout are substantially set forth in the accompanying drawings Figs. I and II.

The two edges of the nose or spout are continued around the opening of the bowl or body of the feeding-cup, and run into and form the lip L, the margin of this lip L and the margins of the gutter-shaped nose G forming a continuous curved line. This lip L flares, as exhibited in Figs. I and II in such a way as to increase the size of the opening into the bowl and so facilitate the introduction of the fingers or of mops or other appliances for cleaning the feeding-cup-and to increase likewise the capacity of the cup when standing in the position shown in Fig. I.

It is the intent of this device that the said feeding cup shall contain while standing in the position shown in Fig. I and filled to its full capacity, just the amount of fluid which 5 can be conveniently delivered through the gutter -shaped spout G without danger of flowing over the edges of the spout. It is further intended that when the feeding cup has been filled in the position shown in Fig. 100 I it shall be placed for carrying it in the hand or on a tray in the position shown in Fig. II. When in the latter position the capacity of the feeding-cup is increased so that the level of the contained fluid sinks below the edges of the bowl in such away that the feeding-cup can be carried when filled to its proper limit without danger of slopping over.

For the purpose of explaining more fully the relations and conformation of the lip L and of the two facets of the feeding-cup the said feeding-cup will now be briefly described in the position shown in Fig. II. In this position that portion of the feeding cup on which is the nose or spout will be spoken of as the anterior portion, the portion opposite as the posterior portion, the facet upon which the feeding-cup stands as the base and the upper part as the top.

The facetv X upon which the feeding-cup rests in Fig. I forms alarge part of the posterioriwall of the feeding-cup; it rises at a somewhat obtuse angle from the base. From its superior border the posterior-Wall passes over into the top or cover of the cup in a gradual curve and ends in the flaring lip L. The posterior portion of the bowl is thus covered over, while the rest of the top is open clear to the end of the spout, thus securing great protection against spilling or slopping over the contents of the feedingcup in carrying it in the hand or on a tray. In this point this feeding-cup differs from others which have the anterior portion of the bowl covered and the posterior portion of the bowl uncovered. The two ears E are placed one upon each side of the cup in a position con- Venient for the grasp of the hand.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As an article of manufacture, a feeding cup, comprising an extended spout G guttered and open its entire length, a flaring lip L opposite the spout, two bases'or facetskXz and Y for supporting the cup-in avertical or horizontal position, and ears E to facilitate grasping the cup.

LEONARD WOOLSEY BACON, JR.

WVitnesses:

FLORENCE J. Ennowiis, EMMA W. ScHNEELocH. 

